Does Recent Ruling Get Snowden Off the Hook?

U.S. National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden as seen in June, 2013.

Reuters

In making its case for why the U.S. government should go easy on Edward Snowden, supporters of the fugitive ex-NSA contractor point to last month’s surprise ruling against the National Security Agency’s collection of phone records.

Both the New York Times and the Guardian published editorials Wednesday arguing that Mr. Snowden shouldn’t face a lifetime prison sentence for leaks involving a U.S. spying program that at least one federal judge believes to be unconstitutional.

“It is time for the United States to offer Mr. Snowden a plea bargain or some form of clemency that would allow him to return home, face at least substantially reduced punishment in light of his role as a whistle-blower,” the New York Times’ editorial board wrote.